"Congratulations, my lord, and congratulations again, my lord, on regaining the Emperor's favor." After the Empress left, the palace attendants were overjoyed, seeing that their lord had finally regained His Majesty's favor.
Ye Fei looked at the scab on his finger, his expression cold. "It's too early to congratulate me now. His Majesty's heart is still with that person. Even if I can keep him here, what's the use?"
"My lord, you can't chew more than you can bite. You have to take it one step at a time. The fact that His Majesty came to Yaoyue Palace shows that he still cares about you. As long as you put in more effort, His Majesty will soon return to your side."
"Issue an order to close the palace gates and refuse all visitors."
"My lord, why is that?"
"His Majesty dislikes a male attendant who is overly ambitious and ostentatious. He desires a docile, obedient, and understanding companion who can discern his heart's desires." Ye Fei said softly, "I have been by His Majesty's side for ten years. While I may not understand him completely, I understand him about seventy to eighty percent. It is an indisputable fact that His Majesty favors the Phoenix Lord of Tantai Palace, but it is also an indisputable fact that His Majesty is passionate."
"This servant does not understand."
"After hitting enough walls and getting hurt enough, one will retreat. People naturally seek advantage and avoid harm, and His Majesty is no exception. No matter how much he dotes on the Phoenix Lord, if he encounters too many setbacks with him, he will become disheartened. I only need to wait patiently."
In the prosperous Imperial Capital, the court officials were filled with unease. The Emperor had not attended court for ten consecutive days. Their attempts to visit him were all denied. Now, the entire court was controlled by the Prince of Chu.
"His Majesty's health has not yet recovered. Today, I will preside over the morning court," the Prince of Chu said, seated at the very front of the Hall of Governance, his tone natural and his authority unbending.
"May I ask Your Highness, Prince of Chu, what is His Majesty's condition? Why is he refusing to see even us, his humble officials?" A minister immediately inquired.
"His Majesty is recuperating. Esteemed ministers need not worry. In some time, when His Majesty's health improves, he will see you." The Prince of Chu replied unhurriedly.
"Your Highness, Prince of Chu, since His Majesty has been ill for so long, why not summon His Highness the Prince of Qin and His Highness the Prince of Qi back to the Imperial Capital?" Lord Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, Wen, suggested calmly. "His Majesty is ill and surely wishes for his children to be by his side."
Nangong Yan glanced at Lord Shangshu Wen, a smile playing on his lips. "Currently, Lanyue and Yunqi have formed an alliance, and there are even signs of them allying with Beirong. Our Yusheng is isolated and in a precarious position. My third brother has gone to Beirong; his alliance with Beirong is imperative. My thirteenth brother is on a diplomatic mission to Lanyue, attending the wedding ceremony of the Lanyue Imperial Princess to ascertain Lanyue's true intentions. To recall such important figures simply because His Majesty has fallen ill, does Lord Shangshu not think this is too frivolous?"
Lord Shangshu Wen listened and said slowly, "I merely believe it would be better to have the three princes present while His Majesty is ill. If Your Highness Prince of Chu deems it inappropriate, then so be it."
Nangong Yan could not help but cast a glance at Wen Mian. Wen Mian was the most cunning of them all. He had tried to replace this man countless times but could never find any leverage against him. He knew full well that Wen Mian was loyal to the Prince of Qin, yet he was powerless.
"It is good that Lord Shangshu understands my intentions. After all, your only son guards the border. If Yunqi were to attack, General Wen would be the first to bear the brunt of it." Nangong Yan's words carried a deep meaning, causing Wen Mian to involuntarily look up at this seemingly gentle yet inwardly venomous third prince.
"Your Highness Prince of Chu, may this old official have the honor of visiting His Majesty?" At this moment, Duke Chen stepped forward.
Nangong Yan's expression remained unchanged. "Duke, His Majesty does not wish to see anyone. When His Majesty wishes to see the Duke, he will naturally do so. Esteemed ministers, are there any other matters to report? If not, the court is adjourned."
Duke Chen took a step forward, intending to say more, but a military officer beside him quickly pulled him back and shook his head. Duke Chen gritted his teeth and could only endure!
Now that the Prince of Chu had married Princess He An, and they were deeply in love, Duke Chen, a seasoned veteran, understood the implications. During his daughter's childbirth, the midwife was drunk, and the doctor was absent. In the vast Prince of Chu's manor, with no other women present, only the Prince of Chu could have managed such a feat!
To gain the support of the Prince of Zhao, the Prince of Chu had used his daughter's life as a token of allegiance, and he held his grandson firmly in his grasp, preventing him from making any rash moves, lest his unfortunate grandson perish!
Duke Chen desperately held back his tears. One day, he would make this outwardly respectable but inwardly beastly man pay the price he deserved! Sudan Novel Network
After the morning court dispersed, Duke Chen walked away with his head bowed. Lord Shangshu Chu followed slowly behind. Due to the defection of the Xiao siblings, Lord Shangshu Chu had also been implicated. Although he was still a Lord Shangshu, most of his responsibilities had been transferred.
"Duke Chen, why the hurry?" Lord Shangshu Chu strode forward, walking abreast with Duke Chen. "Duke, the Prince of Chu is your son-in-law, after all. Why the urgency?"
A surge of anger choked Duke Chen. His eyes widened like copper bells, as if he intended to devour Lord Shangshu Chu alive. The biggest mistake he had made in his life was marrying his daughter to the Prince of Chu, yet this man, knowing his regret, still twisted the knife in his heart!
"Lord Shangshu Chu, your good son-in-law has defected, yet you are the only one who remains steady. If His Majesty were to settle accounts one day, your entire Chu family would face difficult times!"
Lord Shangshu Chu's expression remained unchanged. "Duke speaks wisely. My head might be removed at any moment. However, if Duke continues to oppose the Prince of Chu, your head might be removed even sooner."
Duke Chen's face turned ashen, and he glared hatefully at Lord Shangshu Chu. "Are you siding with the Prince of Chu?"
"Duke makes light of it. Even if I were to side with the Prince of Chu, he would not dare to use me." Lord Shangshu Chu said with a smile. "We were once close to the Xiao family. Those who could be used by the Prince of Chu have sided with him. Those who could not be used are now being suppressed. His Majesty has been ill for a long time and has not appeared. I know Duke is worried about His Majesty's health, but you must also preserve your own life."
"I am not someone who fears death!"
"This subordinate knows Duke is not someone who fears death. But does Duke not worry about the young prince in the Prince of Chu's manor?" Lord Shangshu Chu asked pointedly.
Duke Chen's expression finally changed. His greatest weakness was his grandson, yet he could not even enter the Prince of Chu's manor, let alone see his grandson.
"What exactly do you want to say?"
"He who does much evil will perish by his own hand. Duke, please be patient and endure for now. One day, Duke will be able to avenge the deceased Miss Pei." Lord Shangshu Chu lowered his voice. "The Prince of Chu sending the two princes away is likely to monopolize the court. As for the Prince of Qin, do you truly believe he is someone who can be easily manipulated?"